Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Ever feel over-scheduled, over-committed and over-tired in today's world? That we do so much, yet somehow, feel we're not doing enough? Christy Wright, bestselling author of Take Back Your Time and host of The Christy Wright Show, is an expert in cultivating balance, ditching distractions and prioritizing what actually matters. If you or someone you know is seeking a guilt-free tool to cut out what doesn't matter, prioritize the things that do and take back your time and your life, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: "Making it" because of struggle: Growing up, how Christy's mom launched a small bakery business was pivotal in teaching character, integrity, persistence and work ethic her formative years. Before becoming a speaker full-time with Ramsey, Christy said "yes" before knowing how and stepped in for Rachel Cruz while she was a project manager. "Some of the most incredible career opportunities are not positions that are posted but problems that are solved." - Sheryl Sandburg "If you wait until you have success to commit, you'll have neither. You have to commit before you have success." - Seth Godin What if "balance" isn't so much what you do but something you create + become in your life? Life balance is not doing everything for an equal amount of time. It's about doing the right things at the right times. Start doing what matters, stop doing what doesn't matter in today's season. "If we are not careful we will spend our entire lives checking boxes and never stopping to ask ourselves if those boxes represent anything actually worth doing." Create an ideal schedule. Take your current calendar and a blank calendar: Move over the things you have to do. Move over the things you want to do. Add whatever is missing. "We judge others by everything they do and we judge ourselves by everything we don't do." Listen to past Live Inspired Podcast guests + fellow Ramsey personalities Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruz and Anthony ONeal. Get a copy of Christy Wright's Take Back Your Time here. CHRISTY WRIGHT'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Innocence. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A. Pictures. Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? A. Maya Angelou Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. You're going to get married. Stop freaking out. Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? A. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

The most important aspect of any work is seeing how it serves the larger community. Join me as I share about a cherished, irreplaceable colleague and the reminder that leaders impact most by showing others they matter. And today, my friends, I remind you of the fact that you, too, are absolutely irreplaceable. Your work matters, your dreams matter, your prayers matter, your words matter, your actions matter. Your life most certainly matters. You are irreplaceable. And in a marketplace that sometimes forgets it, act like it.

Bob Costas has earned 29 Emmy awards - more than any other sports broadcaster. He is also the only person to have won in news, sports and entertainment. So, what do Bob and I have in common? Bob was mentored by my dear friend, Jack Buck. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation as Bob reflects on his humble beginnings + his most iconic interviews and memorable moments from 25 years of covering the greatest events of our time. Watch the interview on Facebook or YouTube. If you enjoyed hearing from my hometown friend... You’ll love our St. Louis playlist featuring iconic change agents, sports legends and entrepreneurs from the Gateway to the West.  Listen to the St. Louis playlist now. BOB COSTAS' LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. A sense of wonder. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A. Photo album. Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? A. Jackie Robinson. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. Professionally, be yourself. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. Your youth is not as short as you think it is. You're still a young man when you're 50. Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? A. He paid it forward.

Recently, I was nearing the end of hectic week of speaking events and it was obvious I was getting sick with a sinus infection. What began as a raspy voice when I started the speech turned into a whisper by the end of it. By the time I got home that evening, my voice was completely gone. What started as a sinus infection, manifested into a double ear infection, lead to swollen, irritated throat and eventually total laryngitis. Today, I share the five lessons I learned from losing my voice.

Alison Levine knows what it’s like to survive in the world’s toughest environments. She served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, scaled the "Seven Summits," and skied to the North and South Poles. Join us to hear Alison recount her history-making expeditions, the lessons in leadership they've taught her and how you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. SHOW NOTES: “Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top—it is the willpower that is the most important. This willpower you cannot buy with money or be given by others—it rises from your heart.” “We can’t control the environment; all we can control is the way we react to it.” Adventure Grand Slam: Alison served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam, which only twenty people in the world have achieved. Alison is the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse from west Antarctica to the South Pole following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Get a copy of Alison Levin's New York Times bestselling book On the Edge here. ALISON LEVINE'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. Span of Control by Carey Lohrenz. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Be more extroverted. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A. My photo albums, especially those not digital.   Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? A. Pasang Lama Sherpa, the first female to scale Mt. Everest. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. What you say doesn't matter as much as how the person interprets it. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. Be more compassionate to yourself. Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? A. She loved dogs. She encouraged others to try.  

After yet another catastrophe devastating our neighbors in Haiti, I wanted to share with you the amazing work being done by an organization striving to make a difference there. Today, I share a story was shared with me by last week's Live Inspired Podcast guest Tim Brand, Founder of Many Hands for Haiti. They are making a profound, positive impact during a time when need is so overwhelming. It’s a message that will remind you of the ripple effect of your life. Even when you don’t see it. Learn more about Tim Brand + the life-changing work his organization is doing in Haiti on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 388 here.

Headlines often leave us feeling overwhelmed and like we can’t make a positive impact. Today's guest reminds us that we can absolutely make a transformative impact through love in action. Tim Brand founded Many Hands for Haiti after a life-changing mission trip to the small, tropical country. A decade later, they've served 7.5 million meals, educated 1,200 children, constructed 990 safe homes... and so much more. His strategy focuses on six key elements in order to bring about lasting change: education leadership development agronomy (soil management and crop production) safe homes medical assistance economic development Don’t miss this conversation. It will inspire you to join me in supporting this organization that is caring for our neighbors after yet another devastating earthquake again this month. SHOW NOTES If you didn't grow up with a strong foundation, are you going to be that for your family and those in your community? At 18 years old, Tim planned his first mission trip to Haiti after being inspired by his dad. There he felt unconditional love, grace and forgiveness and learned to let God guide him. Reverse Offering: With $100 offered by his church in 2004, Tim raised $15,000 to build a school in Haiti. After an infliction point, Tim quit his corporate job, made numerous sacrifices and wrote a $10,000 check to build a school, freeing him of his chains of processions. Whatever talents you have, you are called to multiply them. Sometimes you have to let go to receive. "Transform together through love and action." "We hold that dream until they can hold that dream for themselves." Love in Action: Jerry + his grandmother are proof that by strengthening familial + community bonds, long-term sustainable change is happening. To learn more about Many Hands for Haiti and offer your support, click here. TIM BRAND'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 What is the best book you’ve ever read? Outside the Bible, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A dreamer. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My Bible. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Paul the Apostle. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Never burn a relationship. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? You don't always have to experience something to learn. Forgive yourself. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Fully surrendered to dream God dreams to serve the world.

“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really, really PLAYED!”― Dr. Seuss My friends, doesn’t it seem children have more fun than adults? They smile far more often, skip more frequently, laugh a bit louder and enjoy life a lot more.  Today, I share how my daughter reminded me how fun travel can be and how good life still is during our annual tradition.

Jim McCloskey founded Centurion Ministries, the first organization devoted to exonerating wrongfully convicted prisoners serving life sentences or sentenced to death. Jim has helped free 65 innocent people. Today, Jim shares how his path was first one of destruction, followed by redemption and only then was he able to begin his amazing, life-giving work. Tune in for Jim’s awe-inspiring reflections on the emotional responses from his clients. In hearing his telling of the laborious process of re-investigating cases, you will be reminded of the value of hope and sacrifice. Don’t miss my conversation with this dedicated advocate for justice. SHOW NOTES: The National Registry of Exonerations tracks over 2,800 cases of individuals who were wrongly convicted of crimes, based on new evidence. Centurion Ministries has taken on over 80 cases, freeing 66 people.  Collectively, these individuals have served 1,488 years in prison. When Jim's mother contracted polio in 1947, his father modeled the importance of responding to adversity with love, loyalty and devotion. Six hours a week, Jim would visit inmates at New Jersey's Trenton State Prison as a requirement for seminary. Do you believe I'm innocent? With no legal or investigative training, Jim worked for three years to free Jorge de los Santos from prison after presenting new evidence. Learn more about Centurion Ministries here. Get a copy of Jim McCloskey's When Truth Is All You Have here. JIM MCCLOSKEY'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 What is the best book you’ve ever read? We Were Soldiers Once... and Young by Lt. Gen. Harold Moore. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Courage to stand against the group. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? The Bible. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Abraham Lincoln. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? My dad told us to always be honest and always be prepared. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Be your own man. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Micah 6:8 What the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

As the school year begins, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate a teacher taught me invaluable lessons on school and life. Mrs. Cathy Collins showed me that regardless the subject we may teach, there is no finer foundation, no clearer lesson plan, and no more effective motivation than love.